Title: 12 years My messed up love story 

Author: Chetan Bhagat 

Genre: Fiction 

Publisher: Harper Collins 

Pages: 415

If you are a blue millennial like me, then you would have read Chetan Bhagat's books for sure, just like I did, in the peak of my youth. His books are not classics or something that will teach you English literature but are relatable and entertaining as hell. Basically he introduced all non readers into devouring his novels, because of his uncomplicated way of storytelling in a delightful manner. So when his latest title dropped, I was super eager to get my hands on it.

The title "12 years" has several connotations. 12 years is the age gap between the male protagonist and his lady love. Not to give away any spoilers here, but it's after 12 years that he discovers his true self, his true desires.

A recently divorced guy falling for a 21 year old might look fishy is so many ways. But it definitely happens in the real world. However there is a thin line between infatuation, love and lust and unraveling that might consume one's entire lifetime.

Saket Khurana, the protagonist relocates to Mumbai from the US after his divorce and starts his life from scratch. He leaves behind his entrepreneurship and everything else in the West to build his career as a stand up comedian. He had sworn off relationships for life, when he stumbles across pretty Payal, 12 years younger and falls madly in love with her.

They are a mismatch in every possible way. He's a Punjabi, she's a conservative Jain girl. He's divorced and she never had a boyfriend before. He's a hard core non vegetarian while she's a staunch Jain diet follower. He's a struggling stand up comedian with no bank balance while she has a high paying job in private equity. And the greatest mismatch, their age gap of 12 long years! That's one whole generation!

The book is highly entertaining, and one might have trouble in putting it down. It's hilarious at most points (Saket is a stand up comedian after all) but there are numerous junctures when I was in tears, while reading. The description is vivid, as if a movie is playing right in front of you. Saket's best friend Mudit plays a pivotal role in the story, and we all need a bossom buddy like him in our lives.

Like every book of his, there's no dearth of description of intimacy between the protagonists. From a feminist point of view, some might find the portrayal of female characters a bit let down but I feel that the world today is like this only. In today's age of situationship and ghosting, you can't expect a Mughal e Azam love story. The situations are very relatable and natural.

The author's explicit descriptions of various joints of Mumbai and Dubai is an added delight, especially if you are familiar with both these cities. You will find yourself on a ride, along with the characters. There are many punchlines in the book that will leave a mark on the reader. Some are extremely hilarious while some will leave you emotional. One of my favourite hilarious quotes is "More red flags than a Chinese communist party parade". Simple yet wonderful writing style.

Although it's a 400+ pages book, I finished it in 2 days, which is eyebrow raising since I hardly get uninterrupted time for book reading during the day. This was because I just couldn't keep it down!

Chetan Bhagat does it again. This book is destined to become a bestseller and hopefully it will be made into a movie later on! It has all the elements of a masala movie: romance, comedy, tragedy and drama. Pick up this easy breezy read and thank me later. It's a fantastic read.

Rating: 5/5

This review is powered by Blogchatter Book Review Program